Typical Support Requirements for Mentally Retarded Persons
| IQ Score | Degree of Severity | What support is needed? | Support Example | Independent Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50-55 to 70 |
Mild mental retardation | Intermittent support | Intermittent support. Periodic monitoring (every 6 months) to determine if there are any areas of need and to share resources | Live independently in house or apartment, hold a job, commute to and from work, start a family, etc |
| 35-40 to 50-55 | Moderate mental retardation | Limited support | Ongoing case management on a limited basis. To provide assistance with managing money, paying bills, shopping for clothes and food, social and recreational activity. | Travel independently to and from work, make meals not requiring use of a stove, dress self, wash and iron clothes, live in semi-independent situation. |
| 20-25 to 35-40 | Severe mental retardation | Extensive support | Daily supervision in all areas of adaptive behaviors and living needs. | Dress self with minimum assistance, do all grooming tasks (i.e., comb hair, brush teeth, take a bath) with little or no supervision. |
| Below 20-25 |
Profound mental retardation | Pervasive support | Daily and intensive supervision of all adaptive needs. | Communicate basic needs using gestures or assistive technology |
